According to a report from The Daily Telegraph, Newcastle United look set to miss out on the signing of Nice striker Alassane Plea. The 25-year-old has been repeatedly linked with the North East giants in recent times but their inability to strike a deal appears to have opened the door for Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham to land the Frenchman, leaving the Magpies facing the prospect of missing out on the prolific forward.

But with Spurs possibly set to land the 25-year-old, Newcastle should be clever and turn their attentions towards a raid on Tottenham for striker Fernando Llorente, who looks set to suffer from Plea’s potential arrival in North London.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the Spaniard made the move to Spurs last summer in a bid to provide the ideal deputy to number one striker Harry Kane, yet the 33-year-old has simply been unable to do so during his short stint at the club.

The former Swansea City man mustered just 16 Premier League appearances for Pochettino’s side last time round and netted just once in that time, with his only other goals for the club coming in their 6-1 rout of Rochdale in the FA Cup, in which he scored a hat-trick, alongside a strike in their 3-0 success over Apoel Nicosia in their final Champions League group match.

And with just one start in the league in 2018, it’s clear that Llorente is not the man to deputise for Kane if and when the Englishman gets injured, suspended, or hits a barren run of form - thus, it’s hardly surprising that they are reportedly keen on luring Plea to North London.

And while the 33-year-old’s lack of form last term is sure to be of concern to our resident Newcastle fans, one mustn’t forget that Llorente enjoyed a fine spell at Swansea a matter of years ago to suggest that he has the capabilities to produce the goods at Premier League level.

The striker netted 15 goals in 33 Premier League games for the Swans in the 2016/17 campaign to help keep them in the top-flight, with their relegation last term underlining the impact he and indeed Gylfi Sigurdsson had on the South Wales outfit.

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Yes, his Spurs spell has been unspectacular, but the 33-year-old was outstanding for Swansea and struck up an excellent relationship with now-Everton midfielder Sigurdsson to suggest that, by playing to his strengths, Newcastle could well reap the rewards from such investment.

Llorente is able to hold the ball up and has incredible aerial prowess, thus comprising the strengths of Joselu and indeed the goal-scoring pedigree of Dwight Gayle to give manager Rafa Benitez his ideal lone striker.

And with Plea possibly off to Tottenham, the Magpies must think ahead and take advantage by moving for Spurs’ Llorente, who is likely to be pushed further down Pochettino’s pecking order if the Frenchman arrives.

Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!